GREAT ESCAPE: Summer at Santana Row

Shopping might seem like such a mundane activity — but not at Santana Row. This premier lifestyle and fashion “village” in San Jose not only offers designer labels and hot restaurants, but also an ongoing lineup of free activities for kids, music lovers, farmers market fans and more.

What to do here: Well, of course, it is a shopping destination, first and foremost. Fashionistas will find plenty of styles to drool over, with stores like Gucci, Anthropologie, Diesel, Oakley and many more; you can also chill at its spas, salons, restaurants and lounges, and at the 16-screen CinéArts movie theater.

A concierge desk is available at the Row to make your life a little easier, too. The staff there can assist you with gift cards, restaurant reservations, custom gift orders and even a personal shopper service.

One unique promotion that’s running now is the Haute Summer Days Rewards, where selected stores offer specials on days when there’s a 70 percent chance of temperatures hitting 90 degrees or more. (And the forecast for next Tuesday looks a mite warm.)

Why we like it: If Santana Row were simply all about the shopping, that would be enough for some people. But what makes the Row truly unique are the free activities that are offered regularly at its Park Valencia near Olin Boulevard and other locations within the complex.

This weekend, thrill to the voices of Opera San Jose singers performing a concert of opera classics on Saturday at 7 p.m.; on Sunday, the weekly Santana Row Farmers’ Market will offer the best of summer produce and other homegrown products from 10 a.m.-2 p.m (if you're not in town for Gilroy's market!).

Another activity on tap this Sunday will be the sixth-annual Red Carpet Poodle Parade (registration at 11 a.m., parade at noon), at LB Steak, with prizes for best dressed, crowd favorite, and most talented, as well as a stroll down an actual red carpet for pooches and owners.

And even more to like: Every second Tuesday of the month from May to December, a free “Mommy & Me” event is offered at the Row. The next one, “Into the Wild,” on Aug. 9, from 10 a.m.-noon, features visits from exotic animals, face painting, and arts and crafts. (Don’t worry, dads are welcome, too.) In September, a cooking class for parents and kids is planned.

For music lovers, a smorgasbord is in store through the end of August. The free “Flavors of Jazz” series takes place at some restaurants on the Row each Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. More music is on tap for the month of August, with a lineup of live performances in Park Valencia. (For a complete schedule of events, see santanarow.com/events/all_events/.

About Santana Row: Santana Row was created to be an urban village within the city of San Jose, with shopping, dining and entertainment all within walking distance of residences. The mixed-use complex opened in late 2002, and its 42 acres include 514 residential condominiums, townhouses and flats, with an estimated population of about 1,000 people living there. In the shopping area, there are 70 retail shops and boutiques, 20 full-service restaurants, nine spas and salons, a movie theatre and the boutique Hotel Valencia.

Directions and phone: Take Highway 101 north to 280 north, then take exit 5C and follow the signs to Stevens Creek Boulevard. From Stevens Creek, turn left onto Santana Row. The center is at the corner of Stevens Creek and Winchester Boulevard. For information, call 408-551-4611, or by email concierge@santanarow.com. A shopping directory, events list and more can be found at santanarow.com.